Sony Shows Off Two New 30x Zoom Compact Cameras

Sony unveiled two new travel zoom cameras today, both featuring a small footprint with a lot of optical reach. Both the new HX90V and its cousin, the WX500 CyberShots, have some of Sony's most advanced imaging technology inside their svelte little bodies. Most importantly, both pack 30x optical zoom into pocketable cameras with the help of some new advances in lens design.

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The advanced option, the HX90V, has a little trick up its sleeve. On top of 30x zoom, you also get a pop-up electronic viewfinder, like we saw in last year's RX100 III. While it's not an ideal solution, it's certainly better than nothing if you're blinded by direct sunlight. Sony is touting this camera's video chops, featuring the XAVC S codec. It's capable of capturing video at 50 Mbps with 8-bit color and 4:2:0 chroma subsampling at 1080/60p. Not too shabby.

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If you don't need the more advanced features of the HX90V, you can save a little by going with the simpler WX500. It features the same imaging stack, including an 18.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and Zeiss-branded optics. It ditches the EVF and some other more complex features, but it provides much of the image quality and flexibility that Sony has put into the HX90V.

Both include Sony's PlayMemories software, as well as WiFi and NFC. You also get a 180-degree flipping screen for selfies and Optical SteadyShot. If you need GPS for geotagging, you'll have to spring for the HX90V.

You'll be able to snag these new CyberShot cameras soon, with both landing at retail at the end of June. The HX90V will sell for $430, while the WX500 will be available for a very reasonable $330.